Thursday from the Stand.
It's soup and noodle weather now, and the patios are packing it in for the year. Here's the one to send your group chat: the owner of Camino just opened a taco spot in West Allis, and tacos start at $5. Forward this to whoever always asks where to eat.
Book This Weekend
Purslane · Lower East Side
Turkish and Eastern Mediterranean cooking on Farwell from chef Mary Kastman, a 2022 James Beard semifinalist. Book it for a big date or when your parents are in town.
Ali nazik beef kebab. Braised short rib sits on smoky eggplant yogurt with shishito peppers and a sweet pepper sauce, with bulgur pilaf to soak it all up ($39).
Lighter option: whitefish balık pilâki with wild rice and oyster mushrooms ($35)
Dinner Tuesday to Thursday 5 to 9, Friday and Saturday 5 to 10
Tock or 414-212-8692 · $$$$ · https://www.exploretock.com/purslane-mke
DanDan · Third Ward
Chinese-American cooking on Erie St from Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite, both 2022 James Beard semifinalists. Bring a group that likes to share.
Short rib potstickers. Pan-fried dumplings packed with short rib and foie gras, with black vinegar and soy to cut the richness ($16). Order a round for the table first.
Then the cumin beef slap noodles: wide, chewy hand-pulled noodles with chilies and red onion ($24)
Open until 10 Friday and Saturday, and until 9 Sunday
OpenTable or 414-488-8036 · $$$ · https://www.dandanmke.com/
Alem Ethiopian Village · Downtown
Ethiopian cooking on E Wisconsin Ave. Dinner comes on one big shared platter of injera, and you eat with your hands. Good for friends who want to try something new.
Yebeg tibs juicy spicy. Lamb sautéed with onions and peppers, saucier and hotter than the regular tibs ($23). You can ask for it milder. Meat entrees come with injera and two vegetarian sides.
On the weekend, ask about kitfo, Ethiopian-style raw beef
It's open Tuesday to Saturday, 4 to 8. Go early and call ahead
Call 414-224-5324 · $$ · https://www.alem-ethiopianvillage.com/menus?menu=alem
What's New
El Impostor · West Allis. We told you it was coming in September. Now it's open. The owner of Camino soft-opened this taco spot at 7413 W Greenfield on Monday. Tacos are $5 to $6 and borrow from everywhere. The Japanicow has shaved rib-eye, Japanese BBQ, wasabi crema and radish. Tlayudas, a 12-inch flour tortilla topped like a pizza, run $18 to $20. Open from 11, until 10 Monday to Thursday and until 11 Friday and Saturday.
What's Great
Vientiane Noodle Shop · South Side
A family-run Lao noodle shop on W National Ave, open for more than 20 years. OnMilwaukee put it on its 52 Restaurants list this year. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Good for: a quick weeknight dinner, a cheap night out with friends
Ox tail khao poun. Rice noodles in a red curry broth with galangal, lemongrass, lime leaves and coconut milk, with ox tail and bamboo shoots ($15.99).
Fried Vientiane sausage. Pork sausage packed with ginger, lemongrass, dill and lime leaves. OnMilwaukee's dining editor called it the best Lao sausage she's found ($9.99).
$ · Walk in, order online or call 414-672-8440 (website)
Soban Korean Eatery · Downtown
A small Korean spot on N Milwaukee St that opened in April, with about 30 seats. Owners Solki Lee and Hyelim Song cook from family recipes. Open Monday to Saturday 11 to 9.
Good for: lunch downtown, a quick bite before a show
Seoul bulgogi. Soy-marinated beef stir-fried over high heat with onions, cabbage and mushrooms, served with japchae and kimchi ($17).
Kimchi jjigae. Aged kimchi simmered with pork, tofu and onions into a rich, warming soup (from $8).
$ · Walk in or order ahead (website)
Coming Up
Ste Martaen at X-Ray Arcade · Cudahy. Tonight, Thu Oct 15, 5:30 to 8:30 at 5036 S Packard Ave. The vegan pop-up is serving "KFC" bowls and southern chik'n sandwiches with collard green slaw. Pre-order on Tock or order at the bar. X-Ray Arcade calendar
Heirloom MKE fish fry at Lion's Tail Brewing · Tosa. Friday, Oct 16, 4 to 8 at 8520 W North Ave. Lion's Tail event
Housekeeping
Past picks are pinned on the Milwaukee Restaurant Map.
Where's your Friday fish fry? Hit reply and tell me. And if a friend always ends up picking the restaurant, forward this or send them to thestandmke.com to sign up free.